human nature

who came up with the Leviathan

Thomas Hobbes

what is the overall method of the Leviathan

the belief that the state should have supremacy over the church is ecclesiastical matters. Hobbes believed that giving the Leviathan dominion over both the physical and spiritual world would act as an antidote to war and unrest in society.

what was Hobbes writing in response to

the English Civil War

what did Hobbes argue against

the concept of a ‘state of nature’

what did Hobbes believe a a stateless society would be

“solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”

what was Hobbes view of human nature

negative view of human nature with a belief in the need for a hierarchy

what did Hobbes think a state of nature would be similar to

a ‘state of war’ due to individuals selfish desires for power

what’s the conservative view of human nature

pessimistic view of human nature, believing that people are inherently flawed, self-interested and imperfect

what do conservatives argue humans are

morally imperfect and prone to selfishness, irrationally and error, this makes them sceptical of Utopian schemes or radical change

what do they believe is necessary due to human imperfection

strong institutions, tradition and authority are needed to maintain order and stability in society

what ideas do conservatives distrust

the idea that humans can use reason to design a perfect society.

what do conservatives suggest instead of the idea that humans can use reason to design a perfect society

instead they emphasised tradition, experience and gradual change

why do conservatives prioritise law, order and security

because people can be dangerous when unchecked

whats the conservative view of society

• shopping local

• organismic

• looking for proof

• tradition

• hierarchy

• Jesus

• family

whats organismic

belief that society should evolve organically, evolution over revolution

what is empiricism

idea that conservatives look at what society is rather than what it could be

which thinker favoured localism

Burke

what did Burke argue in regards to localism

that society was made up of local communities

what did Burke call the local communities that he thought made up society

little platoons

what did he think the benefits of little platoons were

they would give people security, status and a sense of community

what do the New Right believe instead of localism

individualism as they question society as a concept

whats an organic society

Belief society cannot be artificially created- it emerges slowly over time and is subject to forces that cannot be controlled/ understood 

‘Why do we do things the way do?”

“we just do, its tradition, its the way ever always done it” 

what is empiricism

evidence over theory- they take society as they find it and act on evidence rather than a set view of how society should be.

what is tradition

customs and habits of society that are highly important to conservatives

what does tradition turn away from

the risks of the future of the organic society

what does tradition think about change

all change should be gradual and mindful of the past

do conservatives like hierarchy

Conservatives champion hierarchy and accept society is unequal and believe it should exist this way

what do they think about the unequal disparity of resources and opportunities

that there is no need to adjust this

what do they believe about those at the top of society

that they are there for a reason and they have power and privilege

what do one nations think about heirarchy

those at the tip of the hierarchy should be obliged to look after those lower in societal hierarchy- paternalism

what do the new right think about hierarchy

happy with the inequality, far less keen on the paternalism 

whats Judeo- christina mortality

• long and continuing connection to religion

• links to their belief in humanity being flawed and in need of structure

• strong support for marriage and daily values (opposition to abortion/ LGBRQIA+ rights)

• Belief in holding people to account for their actions and mistakes rather than blaming society 

• Religion and morality bind society together 

  • In the UK support for the conservatives was linked to attending the Anglican church   

whats conservatives belief about property linked to

• Linked to tradition and continuity

  • Should be passed through generations

  • Conservatives get very upset about inheritance tax 

whats the point in owning property according to conservatives

owning property gives people a stake in society, makes them more likely to conform and resist change